The gift, the largest the foundation has ever made to the orchestra, will be used to enhance the orchestra's programming, with a particular focus on opera and ballet performances, and will also support collaborations with guest artists.

Half the amount will be awarded immediately, while the remaining $1.25 million must be matched with gifts from other donors by June 2016.

"We are grateful to the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for supporting artistic initiatives as part of our ongoing transformation," said Cleveland Orchestra executive director Gary Hanson. "Among national philanthropic foundations, the Mellon Foundation is among the most important in [terms of] support of the symphony orchestra."